Little Falls transcript., 1887-06-10
THE BOT SPRINGS OF ARKANSAS.

The HOT SPRINGS OF ARKANSAS.
Some Historical Notes Regarding the
Reservation-what should be Done
by the Government,
A correspondent writes that the sea-
son at the Hot Springs is at its highest
pitch. Seven thousand visitors, health
and pleasure seekers, are registered at
the hotels. which are crowded TO over
flowing. Central avenue, the princi-
pal thoroughfare, daily swarms with
a cosmopolitan people. represent
ing every shade and color of society
throughout the habitabie globe. Ro-
mantle traditions would have us sup
pose that these springs are the ''Foun-
tain OF YOUTH for which Ponce de Leon
searched in vain through Florida and
the south. French traders and trappers
came here almost every year OF the ear
ly settlement OF Louisiana, but it was
not until 1907 that the first cabins were
built by Maguel Proudume, John Per-
cival and Isaac Gates, whose names
have since been closely ident fed with
the claims and titles o f Hot Springs.
. In 1914 there were twenty-five log
cabins in the vail ey, and in 1925 a
double log cabin was considered the
"swell'' hotel.
Since that time the visitors and set
tiers had increased SO rapidly that by
the time congress appointed commits
sioners to settle the rights OF possession
and purchase between the different in
dividual citizens who had settled upon
the Hot Springs reservation there were
about four thousand claimants. Since
this question OF title has been finally
disposed of new order Of things has
obtained, and the present beautiful city
Of Hot Springs, as if by euchantment,
has sprung into existence. with Il per-
nanent population OF seven thousand
people, and its principal street, Cen
tral avenue, stretching along the
valley, two miles in length. and adorn-
cd on either side with palatial hotels,
bath. houses, and business blocks re-
plere with all the modern conveniences
and appointments. The city. nesting
between two beautiful piue-clad noun
tains, presents quaint picture Of
beauty,
The United States Army and Navy
hospital is magnificent three-story
brick structure, erected on a command
ing site one hundred feet above the
valley, with the Hot Springs valley as a
back ground. The Convent and
Academy Of Our Lady OF the Springs,
in charge of the Sisters of Mary, are
spacious buildings OF brick, with bright
and attractive surroundings. There
are at present enrolled 135 pupils and
boarders. The opera-house Is a three
story brick, ornate in design, and with
stylish interior appointments. The
two leading bank buildings would be
IN ornament to any city. There are
two newspapers, and nearly all the
Christian denominations are represent
I'd and have comfortable houses OF
worship, including two churches for
colored people.
The moral tone of the place has been
elevated very materially since the en-
torcement OF the prohibition law with
in it's precincts. The better element
now rule, and ladies need have nc
delicacs in visiting these springs.
Central avenue presents bustling,
businesa-like air, visitors and citizens
shopp ng, going to AMI from bathing,
enjoy ng Constitutional walks, while
the more favored indulge in drives and
horseback rides to Hell's Half Acre,
three miles; White Sulphur springs,
four miles, and the celebrated POTASH
Sulphur springs, seven miles distant,
where many 60 by advice of physicians
for a weeks respite after three weeks
bathing, which IS debilitating, in order
to drink the waters, which, in effect
are toning, give flesh, and put them in
better physical strength to endure the
next course. z--.,5g7..& = g
Centipedes and tarantulas are daily
caught by man who ekes out live.
lhood by fighting them on the streets.
He attracts q crowd. by showing uE
the insects in seperate bottles. collects
few dimes, the crowd forms ring,
and he let's the pugilists out in the
center; they soon clinch, and the cent?
pede knocks his antagonist out IN the
first round every time. They are said
to be deadly enemies. The attraction
at Central park is wrestling match
between Black Dan. q negro, and
bear, who daily display their skill and
physical power in tho manly art o.
seif-defense. The bear still wears the
.'belt'' as the best man. At Happy Hoi
low springs, one-quarter Of mile dis
tant, they practice At target with plst0
and rifle. The hunting season IS goot
from September till April, and thirt.
. miles from these springs is where tnt
bears, deer, and wild turkeys mostt.
do congregate. ,85=
Before bathing visitors consult
physician, who, after an exaInination 4,
hands them card showing the kind Q
bath, the temperature required ane
the length Of time 10 remain; also
H specifies the bathing hour. This care
: il presented to an attendant. who bathe'
the patient and cares for his towels
clothes, etc.
There appears to be great dissaMtisfhac M e
]; ton and complaint upon the part 9 g
visitors and citizons here growing on
Of the present plsns and methods q th'
United States government N leasing e
!, individuals for long terms Of years SOM on
eight Or ten bath houses, with vAluabl
privileges of the hot water. at = nomi
nal rental of about e4,5O0 annually
The government should take possession
81 the reservation and all the building
10 y ~, 11t1s f1tl = alma